Renovations Works That Is Killing Me

[fieryfire 0]

Dear All, I am going crazy because of my renovation contractor. I had specifically told her that I need my place to be done up in a month. Spoke to her on 4 September 2010 and told her I need to move in by 29 October 2010. She has promised that the works will be done on time and I should trust her, trust her company as they are ISO standard plus CASETrusted. After comparing two different quotes, we chose her company as the other company said they cannot finish the work in a month. She was very persuasive and I really believed she could make it.

Handed over the keys on 28 September 2010. Thought we will be in good hands since this company is ISO documented so they should have no problem renovating a 3 room flat in a month.

Works included hacking of all the floors, wiring for the entire place, built in cabinets for both bedrooms and kitchen; and changing all the windows and doors. It was supposed to be simple, get rid of everything and build new ones.

Turns out she has an emergency back home so she has to be away for 10 days. She appointed a partner to help us out and we agreed. What happens next was unexpected. Initially, we wanted to hack some walls but in a week the partner called to tell me that the permit was rejected by HDB. Not wanting to wait any further, I told the partner to just give me some new drawings and proceed with the job without hacking anything as I do not want to hold up the renovation works. Being a big company, I expected them to do what they are supposed to be good at, planning and working on my renovation.

Was a bit worried since the person dealing with me was overseas, so went to take a look once in a while. Turns out only first three days the floorings were hacked and after that nothing. I called to ask and was told that they are preparing to start work soon. Second week, I saw that the flooring for both bedrooms are done so thought everything will go smoothly from there but guess I overestimated their capability.

The person in charge returned on 11 October 2010 and I called to tell her how worried I am about the works, if they can complete on time. She reassured me time and again that there is no problem; all is well blah blah blah and I believed her. She seems nice and honest.

Well, as the story goes; nothing much was done. My husband took leave on the last three days 27 - 29 October 2010 to "chase" the works and the cabinets, windows, doors, sanitary ware, electrical were all done up. All this time, she will call me to ask me about the balance payment. We have already paid them 90% but the works are not even close to 90%. I was devastated because we needed a place to stay but nothing seems to be completed yet.

My husband told her that he only needs her to complete at least the master room so we can sleep in peace while the works are ongoing and she also says she will make it work but as of today 10 November 2010, we are living like a refugee in our own home. One of the worse things that happened was the mirror in our hall fell off while we were sleeping. It was a 1200 x 1500 sized mirror that is placed above us if we were sitting in the hall. There was a loud crash in the early morning and my first thoughts were, "What if the place was done up and we were sitting right below it? We could have died." It was really freaky.

My husband contacted the boss of the company and showed him our situation. The boss promised to resolve all the issues in a week. He sent someone down to liaise with us but sadly, nothing seems to be completed. We have been showering in cold water for 10 days now, today they finally fixed the water heater. We are really upset. I sent them an email telling them the works that needs to be done and so far, nothing seems to work. For an ISO company, they apparently have no work flow to support it.

I just sent them another email telling them my thoughts. I really do not wish to make a big fuss but it is depressing seeing how things are not finished. Should I just go to CASE and have them look into this? I just want them to complete all the works and move on but they are making it so hard.

I currently have no tv to watch, no washer or dryer to use and am walking in my own house wearing shoes, even while showering as the whole place is dusty and dirty. Sighs.....

Hope no one is as unlucky as us.